Re: [Leica] Help with Leica CL

["RP Johnson" <rpjohnson2@home.com>]

From: William Speights
Subject: [Leica] Help with Leica CL


> After using a IIIg for a number of years, I just bought a CL in great
shape.  Perfect size for by briefcase and perfect for my wallet at this
point in my life.  Of course...no manual.  I have figured everything out
except the "dial" on the base plate with the icons (sun, lightbulb, NE, and
some strange other symbol).  What the heck is it?  It doesn't seem to be
connected, except to the top of the battery.  Also, what is the chrome
button on the front of the camera, lower right as you look at the lens?
HELP.  Thanks in advance.
>
The "dial" on the baseplate is the "film reminder disc" and just tells you
what film that you have loaded into the camera.  You set this manually and,
yes, it is not connected to anything.  It is sort of the teutonic version of
those holders on older cameras for the end flap of the film box to remind
you what film you had loaded 6 months previously.  The four symbols are for
B&W film, daylight color film (sun), artificial light color film (light
bulb), and color negative film (NE).  I can't reproduce the B&W symbol, it
is the strange other symbol.

The little chrome button is the meter test button.  The procedure is:
(quoting from Kisselbach)

"Hold the camera in the horizontal format position and look through the
finder.  Rotate the shutter speed ring until the pointer appears in the
upper right-hand corner of the finder field.  Press the test button. If the
battery is still in good condition the needle will swing to the rectangular
notch in the middle of the exposure meter strip."

A manual, either an original or copy, the Hove book that covers the CL, or
Kisselbach's book are worth having.  If for no other reason than to see the
correct loading method for the CL.  Of course, you have to hunt for all of
these as they are no longer in print.  Surprisingly enough, my local Leica
dealer has copies of the Hove books.

Good luck and good shooting.  The CL is a nice camera and if it had the M6
meter and was being produced today, M6 sales would be similar to R8 sales.

rp johnson